The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-22
SOUTHERN INDIANA OUTRAGES.
Trivial Incidents Grossly Exaggerated-Facts
About the Origin of the Troubles.
specia1 to the 1ndiananolis Journal.


VINcENNEs Ind, Dec. 21.-For a year or
moro the many startling rumors of outrages/by
an organization of so-called ''White Capsr/in the
south central part of Indiana has given that re-
gion most unenviable reputation While some
of these alleged outrages have been located in
Orange, Harrison, Dubois and other counties
Crawford county has been the principal scene
of operation. The recent accounts telegraphed
abroad of an assault on Nicholas Cash, an aged
German. at English, Crawford county, were
particularly atrocous, and in order to get at the
real facts, reporter visited the scene and spent
sufficient time in that region to satisfy him be-
yond question that four-ffths of what has been
said of the people of that section has been gross
exaggeration, if not pure fiction.
Leavenworth, with population of about 800,
is the county-seat of Crawford county. 1t is
situated on the Ohio river, the whole length of
the county lying to the north. In the year 1871
line of railroad tnow the Air-line was sur
veyed through the extreme north end OF the
county. east and west A proposition to aid the
same by per cent. tax donation put to a
vote and carried after most severe struggle.
A band of night-riders, styling themselves Ku-
klux, made life burden to those who have
favored the voting of the tax. Many were
taken from their homes, or waylad ON lonesome
roads. and whipped or threatened with dire ven-
geance unless they left the county
or changed their views on the tax
question The opposition, of course, came
mainly from the southern part of the county,
where the railroad would be of questionable
benefit. Still the measure carried. Edward II.
Golden was then the leading man in the town
ship where English is situated. AS soon
the vote determined he visited Leaven-
worth to see that the papers were properly filed.
In the corridor OF the courthouse he was
threatened with death if he persisted, but he
went ahead and saw that the mission he came
upon was properly carried out
That night a high barricade was built across
the road in lonely spot where he would have
to pass on his way home. Friends apprised
and he reached his home that night by cir
cuitious route. Before morning mob of nearly
hundred surrounded his house, and
he was compelled to flee for his life. The bit
terness was so intense that he dared not return.
and so remained in hiding for nearly six months
With health broken from care and exposure, he
at last permitted to return to his house,
where he died soon afterward
Frustrated in their attempt to wreak vengence
on Golden, the county clerk, W. L. Temple, was
caught on the streets of Leavenworth by the
mob, rope was put around his neck. and he
was led to his office, where under threa is of
hanging, he was made to surrender the papers
in the railroad case.
About six years ago the Airline railroad was
finished and English has since grown to be for
midable rival of the town of Leavenworth, in
trade and prominence Other towns on the
with its 500 inhabitants and brisk trade. For
this reason or some other, unexplained, the
odium of all the outrages that occur for miles
around is dumped upon English. The naked
truth about the outrage on Nicholas Cash is
that three drunken residents of English found
the old man drunk and asleep in the depot
waitingroom at II o'clock at night. In spirit
of brutal humor they dragged him to a steep
bank few rods away. down stone steps. across
a shallow creek, and half way back where they
left him. No reputable citizen of the region has
aught but condemnation for the act. but to charge
the crime to an organization of white Caps or
any other organized body is preposterous.
After talking with at least fifty representative
men at Corydon. Marengo, English and other
points. the writer is thoroughly convinced that
no such body as the white Cap" organization
exists. That section is a wild, mountainous
timbered country. where law has but little
play. Petty thriving. and similar misdemeanors
common, and 1t is more than likely that the
better class of citizens occasionally find it
necessary to administer punishment in a mild
way. But in every these events have been
grossly magniied and charged to the White
Caps The perpetrators are not in a position
to contradict this silly rumor by giving facts as
they are, and so southern Indiana is condemned
for what in other localities is commended, at
least sanctioned by silence.